6 Benefits of Plastic Bags - iSell Packaging

Plastic bags and its long term effects environment has been a contentious subject for quite a while. Plastic bags are not easiest of items to recycle. And there have been numerous arguments against the use plastic bags.

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However, it can’t be denied that they are the most functional and convenient packaging option for businesses and consumers. From shopping, retailing to parceling, plastic bags is used around the world on a large scale. Nearly 500 billion plastic bags are used on a yearly basis, and most of them are used for shopping purpose.

So, the benefits of plastic bags can’t be overlooked just because they are potentially an environmental threat. The larger threat comes from the consumers not being socially responsible enough to discard their waste in a responsible manner. When it comes to the so called “single use bags”, I for one use many shopping bags for a multitude of purposes around my home. They are far from being “single use”. Most of my friends, family and neighbors have a “Bag of Bags” in their pantry. I’d bet you have one too. A larger argument could be made that the goods/items I purchase at my local grocery contains 100 times more plastic in the packaging vs. the one thin bag I use to carry those items home. None of those plastic packaging for those items get reused. That includes liners, trays, outer-wraps etc. Reuse and Recycle folks!

Here at iSellPackaging we have pondered over the benefits of plastic bags for both retailers and customers:

Good for Branding:

If you run a store or supermarket, it is pretty easy for you to print your business’s name, logo and other information on the plastic bags. And good thing is that it is simple to make changes in the design.

Cheaper than Paper or Cloth Packaging:

A piece of plastic bag will cost you no more than .25 cent which is much cheaper than a paper bag costing 5 cent or more per piece. You have to spend few dollars for reusable cloth bags. It means that purchasing plastic bags in bulk will be beneficial for your small business and profit margins.

Quicker to Open and Pack:

Plastic bags are quicker to open, pack and double up, saving you few seconds. This is why they are widely used by busy cashiers to keep lines moving efficiently. In addition, plastic bags take up less space than paper bags, both in storage and at cashier point. In contrast to the plastic bags, reusable cloth bags consume more space and are considerable heavier.

Biodegradable:

Most of the plastic bags are biodegradable, meaning that they can be broken down in a reasonable amount of time when thrown in the waste. They are decomposed in three years while an average time for an ordinary plastic bag to completely decompose is at least 500 years. This is because biodegradable bags are decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms. Biodegradable plastic bags leave no trace behind and are safe for the environment.

Consuming Less Energy:

The manufacturing process of plastic bag is energy efficient while the solid waste percentage is less. A plastic bag consumes up to 40% less energy to make and causes 70 % less solid waste than a paper bag.

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Durable and Weatherproof:

Plastic bags are known for their durability. They are less vulnerable to tearing and are resistant to many chemicals.  Plastic bags outperform paper or cloth bags when it comes to protect the contents from rain or water.

So, these are some incredible advantages of using plastic bags for your business and home.

Despite being an affordable and durable packaging solution, plastic bags would end up in landfill and ocean and pollute the planet.

In this scenario, you should reuse your plastic bags as much as possible before throwing them away. Leave the rest on the recycling.

It will help you avoid many downsides of using plastic bags, like their percentage to the waste and their inability to biodegrade when thrown away. It will also slow down the rate of the waste being piled up at landfills and ocean.

There are many benefits of plastic bags, and by recycling them thoroughly, both consumers and businesses can benefit from their utilization in an eco-friendly way.

The plastic packaging industry segment has evolved over the years addressing several challenges not only pertaining to specific client requirements but also developing sustainable packaging solutions that are safe for the environment. This comprises developing recyclable as well as flexible packaging solutions made from sturdy thermoplastics. These packages take the form and shape of the contents inside or can be reasonably stretched to accommodate high volumes or odd-shaped content. Also, most packaging types such as airtight packaging, standup pouches, zippers, spouts, and more can be resealed and hence reused multiple times. With the increasing focus on sustainability, many businesses prefer recycled plastic packages to pack their products. This post focusses on the growth and prospects of the wholesale flexible plastic packaging market, especially across the US.

Rigid Packaging vs. Flexible Packaging

Rigid packaging in the form of glass, tin, and later plastic jars has been in use for decades. While it is sturdy, it is not flexible as it does not conform to the shape of its contents. While rigid packaging types are extremely durable as well as a sustainable solution for the environment, it does not meet the growing demands in terms of space-confined and lightweight packaging. Hence, while rigid packs and jars are still used for specific products, flexible plastic packaging types have gradually picked up pace over the last few years and account for large market share. Here, tin, glass and other such materials are ruled out and only plastic is used because of its versatility and flexibility. Flexible packaging is used across industries from food & beverage and pharmaceuticals to cosmetics and personal care products, screw, nuts, and other industrial components, and electronics. So, what factors are driving the growth of this market. Let’s find out.

Growth Drivers of the Flexible Plastic Packaging Market

The flexible plastic packaging market is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% from to . The market size in was $182.4 and is projected to reach $264.9 by . These stats are based on a research report by Markets and Markets. Here are some challenges and driving factors for the growth of the flexible packaging market.

Challenges that Present Opportunities to Foster Innovation

Here are some challenges that can be turned into opportunities to increase the growth rate of this market.

• These numbers show that while the growth rate is moderate, the prospects are high for flexible packaging across industries as the demand is huge.
• The moderate growth rate may be due to other factors such as the need for establishing plastic recycling infrastructure across the US. A report by Gartener mentions this very point about having multiple, accessible, and affordable plastic recycling units.
• The plastics used may be technically recyclable, but it may take a while for this idea to become the new normal and pick up pace. There are some challenges in terms of polymer films getting stuck in recycling machines; however, research to overcome this is already being done. We can say that this market is in its nascent stage but has great growth prospects.

Growth Drivers for Flexible Plastic Packaging

Here are the driving factors for the growth of this market.

• Flexible packaging comprises the best possible combination of film and plastic materials in terms of sustainability, physical and chemical properties, safety of products in transit, storage, and shipping, and more. It also helps save space. This is one of the growth drivers.
• The demand for sustainable packaging and the increasing awareness to shun single-use plastic are some of the main growth drivers.
• While flexible packaging finds applications across industries, the food industry accounts for the largest share. This is because of the benefits this style of packaging offers in terms of increased shelf life and freshness of food contents.
• Changing patterns in consumer behavior and preference is also one of the drivers. End consumers prefer packages that can be opened and closed to be eaten on the go without hampering the food quality. Also, these packages such as standup packs and pouches can be resealed which prevents spillage and wastage.
• These packs once resealed tightly protect the food from moisture, exposure to oxygen, and so on which prevents perishing and spoilage.
• The fact that these packages are lightweight and portable also adds to the list of growth drivers.
• The growing trend of e-commerce and e-retail is also a growth driver as flexible packaging offers convenience and is easy to transport or deliver.
• Cost efficiency is an important growth driver. Flexible plastic packaging is cost-effective in the long run, considering all the parameters such as safety of contents, reuse, and ongoing innovation, which may help achieve further economies of scale.

While the shift from rigid packaging to flexible types is imminent for many products across industries, it is a matter of time till all the possible challenges are met in terms of recycling issues, achieving regulatory compliance, and more. Despite these challenges, many businesses prefer flexible packaging options today. If you are looking for sustainable packaging solutions, ensure you partner with a reliable supplier. Universal Plastic is one of the reliable plastic packaging manufacturers, wholesalers, and suppliers of various types of plastic bags required across industries. They also offer FDA-approved plastic packing solutions with printing and custom options.

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